A Shaw shot

C'MON DOWN

“I’ll be looking forward to that challenge. But it’s not just him, it’s everyone in that team. I think Suarez has taken his game to another level since he was at Liverpool.

“You can’t let your game slip or your focus. It’s something I’m working on, but that comes with age and games as well, experience. It takes time to learn the game and I’m still learning. There’s plenty more to come.”

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Stones and Guardiola tune up for the Champions League showdown

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Stones has developed well under Guardiola this season

The England defender also revealed he had grown up watching Messi play and win with Barcelona, confirming his admiration for the way they played.

He told Sport360: "It will be massive. Watching Barcelona as a kid, they’re a massive team with top players, a great stadium, and it will be big occasion for me, my family and the club.

“It was Messi himself and the style they play that I liked. Obviously, the gaffer [Pep Guardiola] used to work there and I was a big fan when he was there and the players he had.

“Now the new players have come in and they’re an exciting team, it will be great to come face-to-face with them.”